So, here is the English version of this post. I really want to apologize to my English speaking friends fro the delay. Even though writting in English is easier than it was, it's still very demanding and time consuming...

The Quebec's nationalist party is now living an important moment in its history. The first race to leadership in 20 years is being run and 9 candidates are debatting. Surprisingly, as if they consider the actual Liberal government as dead and defeated in the next election, the nationalists are debatting about how to make Quebec a country... and not how to win the election!

What I am saying, essentially, is that behaviour is in right line with the behaviour of the nationalists' leaders since their lectoral defeat in 2003. They consistently refused to take any responsibility in the electoral loss, arguying that they've been beated because Quebecoise only wanted change.

They are wrong! Quebec nationalist party's defeat is symptomatic of a change of opinion in the "silent majority" from definitely left wing to an approach much more pragmatic. Moreover, the actual Liberal PM is particularly bad when forced to be on defensive strategy. Even though his term in office isn't really good up to know, he hasn't done a wrong job in the health care system and he's about to finish the negociations with the states servants without any real demonstration. In my opinion, his defeat is far from certain...

Actually, the Quebec's nationalists are celebrating an important win in a pluri-ethnic constituancy. They expect to win the constituancy of Outremont normally won by the Liberals. But all those victories aren't really important. They are victories in by-elections. The real test will be the next general election.

In short, the nationalists are moving a step forward too fast. With the Liberals still well aliva and with more than 2 years to go, they should be much more concerned. By celebrating false victories and anticipating an easy walk to independence, they are preparing a real long shot which will end in a hard wall! Quebec's nationalists should begin by winning the next election... then the country might come.

4 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Dear Matt,how are you doing recently? Hope everything goes well. I am still in Nottingham, I will stay in Danison Court till 25 October. So far as I KNOW, there are only three of our neighbours are still in Nottingham, Waleed, Irene and I. It is so sad to say goodbye to all the friends I made in the UK. However, we all have to go home someday. No matter where we are, stay in touch. Good luck to you and wish you have a bright future. Karol

I'm really glad to hear news from you. I hope you still enjoy your stay in Nottingham. Settling back isn't very easy, even more when you leave a lot back in the UK. Anyway... we never know where life brings us, don't we!

Please say hello to Waleed and Irene. I miss you all very much, Waleed and you in particular.

I promise I'll try to put more stuff in Englis on my blog in the next days, even if I know you can read french ;)

it's a real pleasure to know that you guys think my understanding of Quebec's politics isn't too bad! I went to read your blog and it seems very good too. Don't hesitate to leave your comments in the future!